GWEN / ARTHUR SCENES CUT FROM WICKED DAY - THE WRITERS ACTUALLY LOVE PLOTS ?! GASP
Howard Overman's script for The Wicked Day has been added to BBC writersroom
There are 8 A/G moments which were cut. Some I can see why they were cut due to time being an issue and the episode was rather packed full as it was, but I am curious as to one in particular was cut because it cut too close to a major issue that is between Merlin and Arthur in particular.
Trust me, even if you mainly ship the guys on the show it is a facinating read just to see how much of the good stuff still gets cut from the show in favor of toilet humor and mindless plot lines for a cheap laugh or two in the show ( Goblins Gold come to mind ) and maybe the writers deserve more credit than we give them most of the time.
Scene 6: Gwen wishes him happy birthday, they share an affectionate smile and Arthur stares after her with puppy dog eyes
Scene 10: Arthur gives Gwen a reassuring look before he is strapped to the board
Scene 19: Gwen holds Arthur while Uther is dying
Scene 23: Extended version of the "I do it for you" scene in which Gwen says she'll always be there for him
Scene 40: Arthur decides to confide in Gwen about his plan to use magic
Scene 43: Gwen's reaction to Arthur telling her about his plan to use magic. Arthur values her opinion. Gwen says her father would still be alive if it weren't for sorcery but encourages him to follow his instincts
Scene 54: Gwen places a comforting hand on Arthur's shoulder
Scene 65: Gwen and Arthur share a poignant look during the coronation
SOURCE - http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/2011/10/new_script_merlin_-_the_wicked.shtml
Although I am not a fan of the A/G pairing and in particular how the writers are handling it I can understand as a fan of a character why they are ticked off ( to put it lightly ) why these were cut and possibly even not filmed in the end. Its a lot of scenes for Gwen, a character who truthfully they have not been able to get a proper handle on or really know how they are going to take her now that Uther is dead and Arthur is made King so earlier that they originally stated.
One curious issue though is that they bring up Arthur's views on magic with her but they decided to cut it. Granted it would of been an interesting idea to have the future King and Queen discuss this issue and see where each views it so far, but I think it was best to cut it for now since they have to have this plot point being kept for now completely between Merlin and Arthur. We still have the big reveal to go, whether or not Merlin will ever be safe or even feel safe enough to broach the subject of magic with Arthur or even Gwen, AND the bigger issue of Merlin being Emrys.